by University of Texas Medical Branch President Dr. David CallenderFriday, December 02, 2011

I am pleased to let you know that UTMB and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a contract for correctional health care for fiscal year 2012, subject to the approval of The University of Texas Board of Regents and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. We expect these approvals soon.

In brief, UTMB will continue to provide inpatient and outpatient care to the state’s offender population for the remainder of the current fiscal year, which ends August 31, 2012. UTMB will be reimbursed on a cost basis for services provided, pending final approval and action by the Legislative Budget Board to make sufficient funds available.

Additionally, UTMB and TDCJ will work with the state’s leadership to draft a plan regarding continued provision of appropriate, affordable care through the current biennium, which ends on August 31, 2013. This draft plan, which must be completed by February 1, 2012, will also be subject to the approval of The University of Texas System and TDCJ executive boards.

This new agreement means that there will be no interruption in the clinical services UTMB provides to approximately 120,000 state inmates, and that UTMB can be reimbursed for services in a way that does not create losses for the university.

We greatly appreciate the efforts of our TDCJ colleagues, lawmakers, other state officials and The University of Texas System to reach agreement on this important issue. It is gratifying to know that our outstanding CMC employees can continue to provide quality care to their patients.

Thank you very much for your patience as we have diligently pursued the development of this agreement. We will provide further information regarding a fiscal year 2013 agreement as soon as the details are finalized.